Device for improved supply of mould particle material to the hopper of a foundry machine for mould-making

Abstract

A device for improved supply of falling particle material ( 5 ) into a foundry machine's hopper ( 1 ) through a closeable inlet opening ( 4 ) therein, such machine e.g. being of the “Disamatic®”-type and/or functioning accordingly, comprising:—a guiding surface ( 6 ) being the circumferring internal side surface of a tapering space in a surrounding structure;—the wider end of said tapering space being pointing upwards intercepting the flow ( 5 ) of falling material meant for said hopper ( 1 );—the narrower end of said tapering space being arranged at said inlet opening ( 4 ), allowing for a stream of intercepted particle material ( 5 ) to substantially unhindered pass the opened said inlet opening ( 4 ) after leaving said narrower end face; and—said structure circumferring said tapering space outside of its guiding surface ( 6 ) is providing at least one opening (@ 7 ) relative to the opened inlet opening off said narrower end face.

1 . Apparatus for improved supply of particle foundry mould material. ( 3 , 5 ) into a foundry machine's hopper ( 1 ) through an inlet opening ( 4 ) therein, said apparatus comprising 
 a delivery device such as a belt conveyor for delivering the material portion-wise in controlled amounts to    a guiding surface positioned to guide the material from the delivery device to the inlet opening ( 4 ) of the hopper ( 1 ),    said inlet opening ( 4 ) being closable by a valve ( 9 ) in order to allow furthering of the material out of the hopper ( 1 ) and into a mould chamber ( 2 ) by means of pressurized gas introduced into the hopper ( 1 ) above the material after closing of the inlet opening ( 4 ), and    said guiding surface being formed as an at least partially mechanically stable tapering funnel-like surface with its broad opening pointing upwards to intercept falling material received from the delivery device, and its narrow opening positioned and dimensioned to deliver the material in a stream into the opening ( 4 ) of the hopper ( 1 ), leaving an interspace between the opening ( 4 ) and the stream of material, said interspace allowing air to escape from the hopper ( 1 ) in counterstream with the material without intermixing, and    said broad and narrow openings of said guiding surface ( 6 ) being open and unobstructed at all times, in order to allow free flow of the material.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in, 
 said guiding surface ( 6 ) being substantially of sheet material.    
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in, 
 said tapered funnel-like surface being positioned approximately vertically, centrally to the opened said inlet opening ( 4 ).  
 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in, 
 said at least partially mechanically stable guiding surface ( 6 ) being of/lined with a smooth and low-friction material, e.g. a PTFE-composite.    
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in, 
 said guiding surface ( 6 ) being controlled movable up and down in a sequence related to the opening/closing of said inlet opening ( 4 ).    
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in, 
 said guiding surface ( 6 ) partly being temporarily positioned below said opened inlet opening ( 4 ).    
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in, 
 said guiding surface ( 6 ) being pivotable in a substantial vertical plane.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to claims  6  and  7 , characterized in, 
 said guiding surface ( 6 ) being pivotable in a substantial vertical plane escaping physical contact with the element(s) closing said inlet opening and vice versa.  
 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in, 
 said guiding surface ( 6 ) comprising exitating means.    
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in, 
 the apparatus comprising motive and detection means controlled by/communicating with said machine and/or a conveying system supplying said falling particle material ( 5 ).